VPL Round One Wrap

 Victorian Training Centre 4 (David Stirton, Enes Sivic, Jake Nakic, Damir Lokvancic)

Springvale White Eagles 1 (Tome Racunica)

@ White Eagles Stadium

Newly-promoted Springvale White Eagles made the worst possible start to their campaign, slumping to a 4-1 thrashing at the hands of the Victorian Training Centre.

Given the opportunity to make a winning start to their campaign in the top flight, the White Eagles conceded four times in the first half.

David Stirton opened the scoring with a cracking strike from distance and Enes Sivic made it two soon after, beating the offside trap and slotting home.

A minute later and it was three courtesy of Jake Nakic, who finished in similar fashion to Sivic moments earlier. 

When talented striker Damir Lokvancic made it four after converting a cross from Stirton the game was all but over.

After making multiple changes at the break, the White Eagles improved in the second half and were rewarded courtesy of a long range strike from Tome Racunica.

Games against VTC count for points but the team cannot be relegated or play finals football in 2011.

Oakleigh Cannons 3 (Chris Petropoulos (og), James Robinson, Stephen Hatzikostas)

Northcote City 2 (Sam Torrens (2))
@ Jack Edwards Reserve

Oakleigh Cannons started their 2011 campaign in style, recording an entertaining 3-2 victory over Northcote City.

An own goal moments before the interval set the Cannons on their way and despite a brace from substitute Sam Torrens in the second half, they held on for victory.

After a relatively quiet first half, City keeper Chris Petropoulos fumbled a simple ball over his own goal line to give the Cannons the lead at the break.

The second half was more action-packed and only some good defending and keeper from Cannons shot stopper Peter Zois kept the visitors at bay.

But on the hour mark the visitors equalized after Torrens superbly finished a cross from Nick Curtis.

Level terms only lasted six minutes before former A-League attacker James Robinson put the Cannons back in the lead.

Oakleigh’s star-studded list was on show again when James Downey crossed for Stephen Hatzikostas to extend their lead to two.

Torrens pulled one back late on but it wasn’t enough for the visitors against a side who will be considered one of the title favourites this season.

Richmond 0

Heidelberg United 1 (Ritchie Greer)
@ Kevin Bartlett Reserve

Heidelberg United profited from a stunning goal from Ritchie Greer to take three points from Richmond with a 1-0 victory.

Greer struck from distance to score the only goal of the game as the Eagles struggled to create any decent goal scoring opportunities.

The Bergers should arguably have had one or two more if not for some sloppy play in the attacking third.

United are expected to be one of the contenders in 2011 while Richmond appeared to miss the attacking influence of Daniel Visevic, who moved to St Albans in the off season.

South Melbourne 1 (Jesse Krncevic)

Green Gully Cavaliers 1 (Brent Fisher)

@ John Cain Memorial Park

South Melbourne were forced to settle for a 1-1 draw with reigning champions Green Gully in their opening game.

Recruit Jesse Krncevic opened the scoring in the first half after good build up work but the visitors pulled one back through Brent Fisher in the second half.

Both sides had opportunities to win the game but neither found a second goal, forced to settle for a draw.

St Albans Saints 1 (Liam Cannell)

Hume City 1 (Ross Thompson)

@ Churchill Reserve

St Albans came from behind to score a 1-1 draw against a 10-man Hume City in their return to the top flight.

City’s Ross Thompson opened the scoring from the spot in the first half after player-coach Andy Vlahos was brought down.

But a second half corner from Liam Cannell evaded everyone and found the back of the net before Hume defender Isiyan Erdogan was sent off.

The Saints had their chances against 10 men but couldn’t make a winning start to their campaign.

Melbourne Knights 0

Dandenong Thunder 1 (Chris Taylor)

@ Knights Stadium

Dandenong Thunder fought to a 1-0 win over Melbourne Knights in a tight and scrappy affair at Knights Stadium.

Few chances were created before Thunder midfielder Chris Taylor scrambled home what proved to be the winner in the 71^st minute.

The Knights struggled to create anything in their attacking third and will look for an improved performance in round two.

Bentleigh Greens 3 (Hayden Doyle (2), Sean McIlroy)

Springvale White Eagles 0

@ Kingston Heath Soccer Complex

Springvale White Eagles crashed to a second consecutive loss after falling 3-0 to Bentleigh Greens.

After being heavily beaten to start the season mid-week, the White Eagles conceded three second half goals to fall to another loss.

Hayden Doyle scored a brace for the Greens and Sean McIlroy scored the other to start their season in perfect fashion.

Round Two:

Wednesday (8.15pm): Victorian Training Centre v Bentleigh Greens @ Kingston Heath Soccer Complex

Friday (8.30pm): Oakleigh Cannons v Green Gully Cavaliers @ Jack Edwards Reserve

Friday night (8.30pm): Springvale White Eagles v South Melbourne @ White Eagles Stadium

Saturday (5pm): Northcote City v Melbourne Knights @ John Cain Memorial Park

Saturday (7pm): Dandenong Thunder v St Albans Saints @ George Andrews Reserve

Sunday (3pm): Hume City v Richmond @ Broadmeadows Valley Park

Sunday (6pm): Heidelberg United v Bentleigh Greens @ Olympic Park (Village)

Alanic Victorian Premier League 2011 – League Table

* Please note Victorian Training Centre games are for points but the team cannot play finals or be relegated.

Victorian Premier League 2011 - Leading Goal-Scorers

2 – Sam Torrens (Northcote City), Hayden Doyle (Bentleigh Greens)